This year marks the 14th anniversary of the August 2008 war. Fourteen years ago, the Russian Federation invaded Georgia and occupied two regions of the country, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, so-called South Ossetia.
Since that time, thousands of residents have been displaced, persecuted, and impoverished. Many have lost their lives. The war lasted for five days - August 7–12.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, during Russian invasion 228 civilians, 169 military officers and 14 police officers died, 1747 people were wounded. About 150 thousand people were forced to leave their homes.
Today, 20% of Georgian territory remains occupied.
Georgia’s foreign partners including U.S. Embassy to Georgia publicly responded to the anniversary. The embassy released a video address.
“We remember how it began.
We remember this day.
We remember Russian troops invading Georgia.
We will not forget tens of thousands of IDPs.
We will not forget the victims.
We will continue deterring Russian aggression.
We will continue working for peace.
We will stand with Georgia,” the statement says.
